Name: Radicchio Salad with Pears, Blackberries, and Manchego Cheese Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: ¾ pound radicchio (2 heads, soaked); 1 pear (quartered and thinly sliced); 1 cup blackberries; 2 ½ ounces manchego cheese (shaved); 1 small blood orange (juiced, about ¼ cup) or use orange juice; ¼ cup olive oil; 1 ½ tablespoons stone ground mustard; 1 tablespoon honey; 1 teaspoon kosher salt

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Introduction

This refreshing radicchio salad combines the slightly bitter crunch of radicchio with the sweet juiciness of pears and blackberries. Topped with shaved manchego cheese and a tangy blood orange vinaigrette, it’s a perfect balance of flavors for a light lunch or elegant side dish.

The dish is a fresh salad served on a white round plate with a thin brown rim, placed on a white marbled surface. The salad has a base layer of crisp, curly radicchio leaves in deep red and white tones, mixed with thin slices of pale green apple scattered throughout. On top, there are dark purple blackberries adding a pop of rich color, and several thin flakes of a pale yellow cheese are sprinkled over the salad. To the side of the plate, two gold-colored forks rest gently on the edge, and the whole setup is lit with bright, natural light that highlights the vivid colors and textures. Nearby, small dishes hold additional blackberries and apple slices, with a small glass jar of orange dressing placed next to the plate. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

¾ pound radicchio (2 heads, soaked)
1 pear (quartered and thinly sliced)

1 cup blackberries
2 ½ ounces manchego cheese (shaved)

1 small blood orange (juiced, about ¼ cup) or use orange juice
¼ cup olive oil

1 ½ tablespoons stone ground mustard
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

Step 1: Fill a large bowl with cold water and ice. Cut the radicchio into quarters, remove the core, then cut each quarter in half again.
Step 2: Add the radicchio pieces to the ice water. Use your hands to gently separate the leaves and squeeze them slightly to reduce bitterness. Let them soak completely submerged for at least 15 minutes.
Step 3: Drain and dry the radicchio leaves thoroughly using a salad spinner or clean kitchen towel. You can prepare this step ahead and store the dried leaves in a ziplock bag for up to 4–5 days.

Step 4: In a jar, combine the blood orange juice (or orange juice), stone ground mustard, kosher salt, honey, and olive oil. Close the lid tightly and shake well until the dressing is emulsified.
Step 5: Toss the radicchio leaves with the vinaigrette, massaging the dressing into the leaves to coat thoroughly. Adjust seasoning by adding more salt if needed.
Step 6: Add the sliced pears, blackberries, and shaved manchego cheese to the salad. Gently toss to combine everything evenly.

Step 7: Transfer the salad to a serving platter and serve immediately for best texture and flavor.

Tips & Variations

Soaking radicchio in ice water softens its bitterness, making it more enjoyable raw.
Substitute manchego cheese with Parmesan or pecorino for a different flavor profile.

Try adding toasted walnuts or pecans for extra crunch and richness.
If blood oranges aren’t in season, regular oranges or a mix of orange and lemon juice work well in the vinaigrette.

Storage

Store leftover salad components separately for best freshness. Keep the dressed radicchio in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day, but adding the fruit and cheese just before serving maintains the best texture. Leftover dressing can be refrigerated for up to 1 week and shaken well before reuse.

How to Serve

A close-up view of a salad in a white bowl with a thin brown rim on a white marbled surface, featuring three main layers: the bottom layer has thin slices of light green apples scattered around, the middle layer is mostly red and white radicchio leaves with their crinkled texture adding depth, and the top layer includes small blackberries and thin, irregular white cheese slices spread evenly, giving pops of dark and pale colors. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular orange juice instead of blood orange juice?

Yes, regular orange juice is a great substitute if blood oranges are not available. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.

How do I reduce the bitterness of radicchio?

Soaking radicchio in ice water for at least 15 minutes helps soften and reduce its bitter taste. Massaging the leaves gently with the dressing also helps mellow the flavor.